Military history of Nigeria during World War II
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British Officers inspect young Nigerian recruits
Nigeria participated in World War II as a British colony. It in September 1939, following the government's acceptance of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on Nazi Germany. As a British colony, Nigeria entered the war on the side of the Allies. Nigeria was a key country in the African theatre of war, with Nigeria serving as a critical part of the Allied African strategy. In addition to Nigeria's importance as a staging point in Africa, several infantry regiments were raised to serve the British armies around Africa and Asia.[1] Throughout the war, 45,000 Nigerian soldiers served in the British Army in Africa and southeast Asia. Nigerian regiments formed the majority of the 81st and 82nd West Africa Divisions of the British Army.[2]
Nigerian soldiers fought in most notably Burma and India. Despite the successful fighting record of the Nigerian troops, none of the commanding officers of the Nigerian corps were from Nigeria. These were instead selected from around the British Commonwealth. The first Nigerian officers were selected towards the war's end. Nigeria's involvement in WWII helped fuel the struggle for independence from colonial rule. This was partly because participation of Africans in these wars exposed them to ideas of self-determination and independent rule.[3]
Military history of Nigeria during World War II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
British Officers inspect young Nigerian recruits
Nigeria participated in World War II as a British colony. It in September 1939, following the government's acceptance of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on Nazi Germany. As a British colony, Nigeria entered the war on the side of the Allies. Nigeria was a key country in the African theatre of war, with Nigeria serving as a critical part of the Allied African strategy. In addition to Nigeria's importance as a staging point in Africa, several infantry regiments were raised to serve the British armies around Africa and Asia.[1] Throughout the war, 45,000 Nigerian soldiers served in the British Army in Africa and southeast Asia. Nigerian regiments formed the majority of the 81st and 82nd West Africa Divisions of the British Army.[2]
Nigerian soldiers fought in most notably Burma and India. Despite the successful fighting record of the Nigerian troops, none of the commanding officers of the Nigerian corps were from Nigeria. These were instead selected from around the British Commonwealth. The first Nigerian officers were selected towards the war's end. Nigeria's involvement in WWII helped fuel the struggle for independence from colonial rule. This was partly because participation of Africans in these wars exposed them to ideas of self-determination and independent rule.[3]
Contents
1 Outbreak of war
2 Combat deployments
2.1 East Africa
2.2 Burma
3 Home front
4 After the war
5 See also
6 Further reading
7 Citations
8 References
Contents
1 Outbreak of war
2 Combat deployments
2.1 East Africa
2.2 Burma
3 Home front
4 After the war
5 See also
6 Further reading
7 Citations
8 References
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